This isn't true is it?

[Breny]

So my husband was telling a co-worker that I am getting a Grey and of course this co-worker all of a sudden becomes an expert in Parrots
And tells him that they will most likely bond to the male of the house, and they don't like kids. Oh and they live 25 years, ya know

I was like...no ..I have not read any of this and its more like 50-60 year life span!!!

But I still wanted to ask the question on the male bonding thing. I will be the one going to the breeders home and getting to know my bird, I will be the one feeding and caring for him and spending all the time with him.....
He will bond with me right?

Apparently his co worker owns a macaw

[Elle]

There's a 50/50 chance he will bond with the man in the household and 50/50 chance he will bond with the lady of the house hold

There are no garantee that he will bond with you even if you you're the one looking after him. Rammie is bonded to me and Max is really split 50/50. He is bonded to my husband and searches for his company to play and make jokes. He sits with him in the evenings to watch tv. He comes to me for affection. I am the only one who can sratch his head and he doesn't try to feed anyone else but me.

As far as kids goes, Max is good with them but I would not trust a child to hold my greys (heck! I don't trust a stranger to hold my birds!) but I can tell you that while Max had a good old time immitating the high pitch voice of my niece last summer, Rammie was buzzing my sister's kids. He had a love with my sister last summer when she was here and was trying to get her kids to understand it's time to fly off the nest!

Rammie is hilarious for that. When we have company comming over, if she is brunette with shoulder lenght hair, I don't exist anymore.

[vee]

Yeah Breny, it amazes me too when people, some who have never owned a bird, become such experts.

[greycloud]

My Dexter is a 12 yo rehomed grey. He was raised by a man and had no contact with women. I am his caretaker. I have had him for 5 years. He is completely devoted to me! My husband cannot even feed him treats without getting a nip. Greys can live a very long time with proper nutrition, and enrichment. I have a friend who has a 47 yr old male she rescued over 20 yrs ago. Her other two greys have physical disabilities and are in excellent health in their early 20s.
I can see how some greys do not take to kids. Many prefer a calmer household. However, that being said, my young stepdaughter can get the closest to Dexter and they chat back and forth, but no touching. They tend to like the high voices of children.
While there is no guarantee wh your grey will bond to, it is important to show patience and build trust between you. If your bird does not trust you there will be no connection. Congrats on your baby. Visit it often and take your time. They are the most wonderful birds.

[gteer]

When my Dino hears a childs voice outside he tells them to "Be Quiet". Both my husband and I have low voices and that is what he has be used to since he was 6 weeks old.

[Abaleesha]

Arthur is fine with my nearly 15yo but not so impressed with the younger 2 boys (11 and 8). He certainly does like my husband but is still my boy. I think we've all tried to handle him from day 1 so he's been use to going between hubby, myself and no.1 son. He just isn't receptive to younger kids.

[anthonym]

We are all experts with our own birds and novices at the same time, thats why a site such as this is great for new Grey owners as well as long time owners of Greys. In my experience the primary caretaker of the bird is the one that it will prefer as time goes by or right from the begining. I really dont believe in the thoughts of others with sex of bird to sex of human bonding. I do believe that a mutual trust between caretaker and bird is what forms the bond as your companion relies on you for his well being and comfort. I would not concern myself with what others say or what you hear because your relation with Mason will have its own characteristics and will be what you make of it as a team !!!!

[Momofmany]

Sam loves most everyone in the house, but his relationship is different with each of us. I am his everything person, he wants to be with me all the time, at least be able to see me. My husband is his play time buddy he loves hanging out with him in the evening and sharing his supper (he is a diabetic, so his meals are the best for Sam to share lol). My oldest daughter gets called to frequently but is only allowed to scratch his neck if he is in his cage, he will go into his cage and call for her to scratch his neck. The rest of my children he is more cautious with, he will step up for them if he has jumped off his cage, but the youngest two are not allowed to pick him up with their hands. He loves their commotion though, he also loves loud music...our house is busy and he adores it Christmas time I had all 7 children home, I have never seen Sam so excited, he talked and whistled from morning until lights out, and loved being in the middle of everything. We did make sure he had some chill out times so he didn't get over stimulated though. I think it just depends on the bird, from all the Grey Owners/Parrot owners I have talked to, it seems to be an individual bird thing.

[DynamitePsycho]

My parent's TAG is bonded to my mother, but she will tolerate everyone else. Ziggy is bonded to me and will equally accept my husband. As far as the children thing, that is very untrue. Just like any animal, you need to teach the child how to act around the animal properly. My 13 month old son and Ziggy get along great! You can see in this video (I know I've posted this before): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxsSMhCuHzc

[KuyaRomeo]

It does not HAVE to be true. We have a TAG (LadyBug) and she just adores everyone. She loves men, women, children. Must be the friendliest bird I have ever met in my life. Whomever raised her (she is 7.5 years old, and we just brought her home 2 weeks ago), did an amazing job.

I would recommend that you allow the bird to interact with everyone in the house, and visitors too. The more people that constantly interact with your grey, the better. Take turns feeding him/her and cleaning and playing. Encourage her to be friendly to all.